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About

A Letter from Tory

Welcome to the Foundation –

I launched our business in 2004. I had a concept and, working out of my kitchen with a small team, turned that concept into a collection. As our company has grown, I’ve learned about the obstacles that women in business face, from balancing work and family (my greatest challenge) to securing financing. Many also lack the confidence, business networks and training they need to see their ideas through. That is why in 2009 we created the Tory Burch Foundation to support the empowerment of women entrepreneurs.

Drawing on our experiences and on conversations with businesswomen from around the world, we have developed programs and initiatives that invest in the success and sustainability of women-owned small businesses by providing:

Access to Capital

Our Capital program with Bank of America offers access to affordable loans through Community Lenders.

Entrepreneurial Education

Our partnership with Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses program provides women small-business owners with business and management education.

Mentoring and Networking Opportunities

I have always believed in the value of mentors and, to this day, turn to trusted advisers from many different industries for insight. Our Foundation offers opportunities for women to network with business leaders and other entrepreneurs seeking to grow and scale their enterprises.

One of the reasons I wanted to start a company was to start a foundation that would benefit women and children. Social responsibility is part of our brand DNA. It’s not about charity. It’s about helping to empower women to help themselves. By providing resources and tools, we can level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, and helping them to grow their businesses benefits their families, their communities and, in turn, all of us.

Thank you for your interest in the Foundation! We hope you will join us in our mission.

The Sunflower

The Foundation’s logo, a sunflower, is based on a pendant Tory’s father had made for her mother and then passed down to her. It is inscribed with the French saying: “Je t’aime un peu, beaucoup, passionnément,” which loosely translates as, “I love you a little, a lot, passionately.”

The pendant is Tory’s most treasured keepsake. Her father, with her mother, was Tory’s greatest supporter when starting her business and instilled in her the wherewithal to follow her dreams.

In November we celebrated National Entrepreneurship Month with the launch of our first-ever Tory Burch Foundation pop-up shop in New York City – a living story of our mission to empower women. In addition to in-store activations and weekly events, 20% of all net proceeds benefitted the Foundation’s work to advance women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The Foundation hosts the first-ever Embrace Ambition Summit in New York City, powered by Bank of America. The 1,000+ attendees and 400,000+ livestream viewers were joined by 46 incredible leaders, performers and activists to address the event’s theme: Confronting Stereotypes and Creating New Norms.

One year later, on the anniversary of the #EmbraceAmbition launch, we unveiled a digital experience to celebrate women globally. Serena Williams, Lilly Ledbetter, Katie Couric, and thousands of other people across the globe joined us in celebrating their champions by creating and sending digital postcards to the women who inspire them to #EmbraceAmbition.

In March, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we rang the NASDAQ closing bell in Times Square, and in celebration of Women’s History month opened the New York Stock Exchange.

The Capital Program powered by Bank of America provides over $36M in loans to women-owned businesses since launching in 2014.

Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Battle of the Sexes, when tennis player and activist Billie Jean King transformed history for women in sports, the Foundation partnered to release the limited-edition She Won We Won t-shirt. 50% of proceeds benefitted the Foundation and 50% benefitted the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative.

The #EmbraceAmbition initiative, which reached 98% of the world’s countries, was nominated for the Shorty Social Good Awards and was a finalist in She Knows Media’s #Femvertising Awards, honoring brands that are challenging gender norms.

Wear one, share one. Tory Burch created the Embrace Ambition bracelet in collaboration with the Foundation. 100% of net proceeds benefit the Foundation.

On International Women’s Day, the Foundation launched the global initiative, #EmbraceAmbition, to ensure that ambition in a woman is no longer seen as a negative.

Tory Burch launches with a boutique on Elizabeth Street in New York’s Nolita neighborhood. One of the reasons Tory wanted to start a business was to create a foundation—it was included in her business plan.

Board

Tory Burch

Founder, Board of Directors
Tory Burch is the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Tory Burch LLC, an American lifestyle brand that inspires people around the world to live in full color with character, beauty and confidence. The collection includes ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, accessories, home and fragrance.

Tory launched the company in 2004 with a small boutique on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan as well as an ecommerce site. The brand’s classic and bohemian aesthetic resonated from the beginning, and has grown into a global business with more than 250 boutiques from New York to Paris and Shanghai, as well as websites in North America, Europe and Asia.

In 2015, she launched Tory Sport, a collection inspired by the grace and strength of athletes that balances high-tech functional fabrics with classic design and a retro vibe. Categories include Coming & Going, Running, Studio, Tennis and Golf.

Social responsibility was part of the business plan and is an integral part of the company. In 2009, Tory launched the Tory Burch Foundationto advance women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship in the United States by providing access to capital, education and digital resources, as well as a Fellowship program.

A dedicated philanthropist, she also serves on several boards including the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Barnes Foundation and the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. In addition, she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Tory has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the CFDA for Accessory Designer of the Year, Forbes’s Most Powerful Women in the World and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award. Her first book, Tory Burch In Color (Abrams, 2014), was a New York TimesBest Seller.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in art history, Tory lives in New York City with her husband and three sons.

Hayley Boesky

Board of Directors
Hayley is Vice Chairman of Global Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, working across all lines of business to deepen partnerships with the firm’s highest priority clients. She was previously at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the Markets Group where she served as Vice President and Director of Market Analysis. Prior to joining the Federal Reserve, Hayley worked at Moore Capital Management and separately was Chief U.S. Rates Strategist at Goldman Sachs. Hayley holds a Doctorate in Astrophysics from Columbia University and studied mathematics and French at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also on the Trustees Council of Penn Women and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Susan Duffy

Board of Directors
Dr. Susan Duffy is the Executive Director of the Babson College Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL), a co-founder of the Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab venture accelerator, and an inspired educator and advocates for gender equity as a driver of social and economic growth. Throughout her career, Susan has recreated what is possible for the organizations she leads across diverse sectors including construction; food, nutrition and health; and education. She earned her Ph.D. from The George Washington University and in 2016 was inducted into the prestigious Wilford White Fellows of the International Council for Small Business. Susan has been recognized globally as an award-winning entrepreneurial educator, is an investor and advisor to several early-stage companies, and serves on the boards of the Walmart Foundation International Advisory Council, the International Council for Small Business Women’s Committee, and Babson Women in Technology.

Yasmin Green

Board of Directors
Yasmin is the Head of Research and Development for Jigsaw, a technology incubator within Alphabet Inc. focused on solving global security challenges through technology. She oversees the team’s research as well as its work on counter-radicalization and online hate, harassment, and intimidation. Yasmin was previously Head of Strategy and Operations for Google Ideas, now Jigsaw. Prior to joining Google, Yasmin consulted for Booz Allen Hamilton. She is a Senior Advisor on Innovation to Oxford Analytica, a member of the Aspen Cyber Strategy Group, and until 2015 co-chaired the European Commission’s’ Working Group on Online Radicalization. In 2017, Yasmin was named as one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40” most influential young leaders, and in 2016 was listed by Fast Company as one of the “Most Creative People in Business.”

Robert Isen

Chair, Board of Directors
Robert is Chief Legal Officer & President of Corporate Development. He joined the Company in September 2008. Prior to joining Tory Burch, Robert was an entrepreneur/founder, key operating executive, and advisor with various companies; including Bemis Company, Continuum and Viapack. He launched his career as a corporate attorney in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA before moving on to Paramount Packaging Corporation (a Philadelphia-based global packaging company) as General Counsel and Executive Vice President. Robert received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Duke University before graduating from Boston University School of Law. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization/WPO and serves on the board of Tory Burch, LLC and Tabitha Simmons.

Tracey Kozmetsky

Board of Directors
Tracey holds a B.A. from Texas Christian University and began her professional career at Women’s Wear Daily and L’Oréal Professionnel. In 1999, she started her own public relations firm, Engelking Kozmetsky Communications, LLC. Tracey has been involved with the RGK Foundation for 19 years. She is the 2015 Board Chair for the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center and serves on the Board of Directors of Dallas Children’s Medical Center. She is also a member of the Crystal Charity Ball. Among numerous awards, she received the North Star Award ranking her among the top ten civic volunteers in Dallas.

Perri Peltz

Board of Directors
Perri Peltz is a documentary filmmaker, journalist and public health advocate who most recently directed the HBO documentary, “WARNING: THIS DRUG MAY KILL YOU,” about the opioid addiction epidemic. She also co-produced and co-directed the HBO documentary, “Risky Drinking,” a no-holds-barred look at alcohol use. She co-directed “A Conversation About Growing Up Black” as part of the “Conversation on Race” series for The New York Times Op-Docs. Other films include HBO’s “Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr.,” “The Education of Dee Dee Ricks,” “Prison Dogs” and “A Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers.” Perri hosts “The Perri Peltz Show” and “Doctor Radio Reports” for the SiriusXM satellite network. Before working in documentary films, Perri was an award-winning broadcast journalist for NBC, ABC, and CNN. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Columbia University’s School of Public Health and attended Brown University.

Deborah Roberts

Board of Directors
Deborah Roberts is an award-winning ABC News Correspondent for 20/20, Nightline, Good Morning America, and ABC World News Tonight with David Muir. A media veteran, Roberts is a highly respected journalist who has traveled the world in her reporting. She has also served as substitute anchor for Good Morning America, World News Weekend and 20/20, as well as a co-host on The View. Roberts’ long form reports on 20/20 have consistently produced extraordinary narratives such as an intimate profile of first lady Michelle Obama, first daughter Ivanka Trump and an in-depth investigation into abuse within the Amish community. She has reported from Africa on children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis and was part of the historic coverage of the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Roberts has been awarded multiple Emmy awards for her international and national coverage of world events, including her poignant reporting on an Ethiopian American woman’s emotional journey back to her African village to discover her long -ost mother. Roberts is author of “Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom For Modern Times,” a book written with her husband, Al Roker. She makes her home in Manhattan with her husband and two children.

James Robinson

Board of Directors
Jamie is Founder and CEO of TAPP Technologies, a beverage analytics and engagement company. Launching his career as a certified NFL agent, Jamie has negotiated sports and entertainment merchandising, licensing and sponsorship agreements totaling in excess of $500 million. He has also created marketing campaigns on behalf of a number of the nation’s leading brands including Hallmark Cards, GAP, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Rawlings Sporting Goods and Dunkin’ Donuts. Jamie is also a board member of the Marks Colorectal Surgical Foundation and Ashley’s Angels. He is a graduate of Georgetown University. James is the brother of Tory Burch.

Jamie Tisch

Board of Directors
Jamie is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 2008, she co-founded Fashionology LA, a children’s clothing store in Los Angeles. In 2003, she co-founded the Entertainment Industry’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. The Women’s Cancer Research Fund was created to support innovative research, education and outreach directed toward the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women’s cancers.

Tony Tjan

Board of Directors
Tony Tjan is CEO of Cue Ball Group, a private investment firm focused on long-term and transformative opportunities across technology, media and consumer brands. He also is co-founder and Chairman of MiniLuxe and was the founder of ZEFER. Previously he played senior leadership roles at Thomson Reuters and the Parthenon Group. Tony has written over 100 pieces for Harvard Business Review and is a New York Times best-selling author of Heart, Smarts, Guts and Luck and author of Good People. He serves on the MIT Media Lab Advisory Council and is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Staff

Laurie Fabiano

President
Laurie has a long history of advancing philanthropic endeavors. As Senior Vice President of the Robin Hood Foundation for ten years, she helped grow the organization’s grantmaking from $11 to $154 million to support poverty-fighting organizations. She also produced Robin Hood’s annual fundraiser, the most financially successful non-political fundraiser in the country. Prior to that, she produced AIDS Walks and Dance-a-thons countrywide and also served as Deputy Mayor of Hoboken. Most recently, she ran her own marketing and events company, Fab Tool, working with clients including Amazon.com, Harlem Village Academies and Make It Right Foundation. She is the author of the best-selling novel Elizabeth Street, which was the basis for her TED talk on the importance of family history.

Molly Heffernan

Director, Digital & Marketing
Molly began her career in philanthropy with the YMCA of Greater New York. She then served as Digital Marketing Manager for the Stephen Siller Foundation, where she managed major brand campaigns. Most recently, Molly served as the Director of Special Events for the YMCA of Greater New York where she led signature fundraising events and implemented donor cultivation strategies. Molly holds a B.A. from Elon University and an M.P.A from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She is also a volunteer member of Robin Hood Foundation’s P.Y.T.

Gabrielle Raymond McGee

Vice President, Digital, Marketing & Special Projects
Gabrielle is a Digital and Marketing Executive, named in 2018 to the Marketing Hall of Femme, which celebrates the best and brightest female talent in the marketing industry. Through digital marketing campaigns and storytelling, Gabrielle has helped numerous causes, foundations and brands, including Major League Baseball and the Tory Burch Foundation. She oversees EmbraceAmbition.org and ToryBurchFoundation.org, two of the most widely used resources for women. Gabrielle’s work has been cited in the international media and she has spoken at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, Google and Stanford University. She brings energy, passion and a proven track record to transforming iconic brands and integrating digital strategies, with a specialty in empowering women entrepreneurs.

Massey Morris

Digital Associate
Massey holds an Honors Business Administration (HBA) degree from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Following graduation, Massey worked at NetSuite and Nike, where she held positions as a Research Analyst and Account Service Representative respectively. She then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and graduated summa cum laude with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Fashion Merchandising Management.

Trisha Salerno

Special Events & Development ManagerTrisha is a seasoned development and events professional with more than ten years of nonprofit experience. Trisha began her career working for Susan Ulin Associates, a fundraising and event management consulting firm, handling a wide array of nonprofit clients in Manhattan. She then spent six years working for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) founded by the late Evelyn H. Lauder. In this role, Trisha was responsible for the coordination, fundraising and execution of several high profile annual events, delivering $15 million in revenue annually for the Foundation. Most recently, she worked as the Senior Manager of Distinguished Events at the American Cancer Society and was responsible for one of the Society’s highest grossing fundraisers nationwide. Trisha holds a B.A. in Political Science and Women’s Studies from The George Washington University.

Désirée Younge

Vice President, Programs
Désirée most recently led Cotton Tree Philanthropy Advisors, a company she started in 2012. Prior to that, she lived in Nigeria working as the Director of Entrepreneurship & Leadership Development for the Tony Elumelu Foundation. She began her career in philanthropy at the Robin Hood Foundation in New York and later at Synergos Institute, an international development organization connecting philanthropists to solve complex social issues. She holds a B.A. from Notre Dame of Maryland University, an M.A. in International Affairs from the New School and is currently enrolled in the TRIUM Global Executive MBA program. She is an active board member of several organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

Q: What is the Tory Burch Foundation?

The Tory Burch Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on supporting the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the United States.

Q: What are the Foundation’s key initiatives?

The Foundation provides women entrepreneurs access to capital, education and digital resources. Our flagship Fellows Program provides early-stage women entrepreneurs the opportunity to access funding, education, networks and business guidance. In collaboration with Bank of America, the Foundation offers access to affordable loans. In partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Babson College, the Foundation provides an entrepreneurial education program.

Q: Why invest in women entrepreneurs?

Women entrepreneurs are a vital part of our nation’s economy. But women struggle to access critical business resources to start and grow their business compared to male counterparts.

Q: If I have not yet started a business, can I still participate in Tory Burch Foundation programs?

Currently, our programs focus only on established businesses, but we encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to visit our online resources to help build their enterprises. We welcome entrepreneurs in all stages of growth to be a part of the Tory Burch Foundation community.

Q: Does the Foundation provide loans directly to entrepreneurs?

No, the Capital program is structured as follows: the Foundation connects women entrepreneurs with appropriate Community Lenders in their region. The lenders then determine eligibility and provide affordable loans, which come from our Capital program with Bank of America. Visit our Capital page to learn more.

Q: Does the Foundation provide grants to entrepreneurs?

No, the Foundation does not currently provide grants to business owners. However, we connect women entrepreneurs to Community Lenders who provide affordable loans through our Capital Program with Bank of America. Learn More.

Q: Does the Foundation provide grants to other nonprofits?

No, the Foundation does not currently provide grants to nonprofits.

Q: Do you provide one-on-one consulting to entrepreneurs?

We do not provide one-on-one consulting outside of our programs. For articles and interviews from the most creative and innovative leaders visit our online resources.

Q: Can I pitch my business to the Foundation?

Our programs provide opportunities to discuss your business with expert leaders and peers. We do not have the capacity to receive any pitches outside of our official programs. If you would like to stay up-to-date with the Foundation, subscribe to our newsletter.

Q: If I’m an entrepreneur outside of the United States, can I be a part of the Foundation’s programs?

We are presently focused on supporting women entrepreneurs in the United States but hope to expand internationally in the future. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest from the Foundation straight to your inbox.

Q: How can I sign up for emails from the Foundation?

Subscribe to receive the latest from the Foundation straight to your inbox.

Q: How does a woman entrepreneur apply for an affordable loan through the Foundation’s Capital Program?

If you have an existing business in the U.S. and are interested in a loan, please fill out our Loan Pre-Screening Form. Once complete, a member of the Tory Burch Foundation team will reach out to you discuss your business and provide more details about the loan application process.

Q: What are your qualifications for an affordable loan through the Foundation’s Capital Program?

In order to be considered for a loan through the Capital Program, your business must already be operating and generating revenue. Beyond that, loan eligibility is determined by local Community Lenders and differ slightly by region. Generally, the loans are intended for women entrepreneurs with a sustainable business, a satisfactory credit rating, at least two years in business and a passion for growth.

Q: What happens after I submit the Loan Pre-Screening Form?

Following your submission, a member of the Foundation team will reach out to you to discuss your interest and provide more details about the loan application process.

Q: How can I apply for the education program?

Check our Education Program page, which has the latest information on our classes—or cohorts, as we call them. Once we announce an upcoming cohort, interested entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to submit an application. Top applicants will be invited to interview with the Foundation and our partners. Following the interviews, finalists will be selected and notified. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about future cohorts.

Q: Do you charge tuition for your education program?

No, full scholarships are covered for all selected participants.

Q: Who is eligible for your education programs?

The requirements for the education program are as follows:

You are woman based in the New York area

You are the owner or co-owner of a small business

Your business has been in operation for at least one full year

You have at least one employee (in addition to yourself)

You are the key decision maker of the business

Your business has revenues in excess of $25,000

You are committed to growing your business

Q: What is the time commitment required for your education programs?

Each education cohort runs for approximately three months. Classes meet once every other week for all-day sessions. Participants must be willing to commit an additional 4-8 hours per week on out-of-class activities.

Q: Can I make a recurring monthly donation?

Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?

Donations made within the United States are tax-deductible. The Tory Burch Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Q: How do I get a tax receipt for my donation?

Tax receipts for online donations will be emailed within 24 hours. If you made a donation by check for $250 or more, tax receipts will be sent by mail within 4-6 weeks.

Q: How will my donation to the Foundation be used?

Every dollar you donate to the Tory Burch Foundation directly funds programs to support the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the United States.

Q: Are there volunteer opportunities with the Foundation?

Thank you for your interest! We are not able to accommodate volunteers at this time, but there are many other ways you can get involved with the Tory Burch Foundation. Visit our careers page for opportunities or show your support by connecting with us on social media, signing up for our newsletter, sharing the Foundation with your friends, or donating to our programs.